To ask the Minister of Education to detail any discussions his Department has had with the Department for Employment and Learning regarding the extension of Special Educational Needs statements to 21 years of age, for young people who require a longer period of time to achieve their educational goals.

Department of Education (DE) and Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) officials met in October 2012 to consider whether there was merit in DEL extending the age of statements beyond 19 years of age. In subsequent correspondence with me, the Minister for DEL confirmed in March 2013 that, following consideration of the issue, DEL had no plans to extend the current age limit for SEN statements.

On 10 March 2015, during the debate at second stage on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Bill, several MLAs again raised the issue of extending the age of statements beyond 19 years of age and I undertook to raise this issue again with the Minister for DEL.

DEL officials have, however, since confirmed that they are content with the current arrangements for young people with SEN who are in training, Further Education or Higher Education and do not believe that statements are necessary to enable appropriate supports to be made.